Coin operated lock



Aug. 20, 1968 J. A. SMITH 3,397,765

COIN OPERATED LOCK Filed Aug. 4, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet l Fia '314 BY ZIM Aug. 20, 1968 J. A. SMITH COIN OPERATED LOCK 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 4, 1966 INVENTOR.

BY M, M

/wwf AJM Arran/YS Aug. 20, 1968 J. A. SMITH 3,397,765

COIN OPERATED Loox 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 4, 1966 INVENTR. J. A05/wv 5MM/4 BWM?, ZEW@ A TTOEN YS Aug. 2o, 196s J. A. SMITH 3,397,765

COIN OPERATED LOCK Filed Aug. 4, 1966 5 Sheets-Slleetl 4 EID BY WML?, 175 l?. @7% w M /l/-OE/VEYS Aug. 20, 1968 J. A. SMITH COIN OPEHATED LOCK Filed Aug. 4, 1966 INVENTOR. J. A UST/N :5M/TH A T'OENEKS United States Patent O 3,397,765 COIN OPERATED LOCK Joseph Austin Smith, 1 Nob Hill, Loudonville, Ohio 44842 Filed Aug. 4, 1966, Ser. No. 570,267 18 Claims. (Cl. 194-59) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to a coin operated lock having a housing, a lock bolt movable in said housing between first and second positions, one of said positions being a locked position of said lock bolt cooperating with -a first member and the other being an .unlocked position, actuator means to move said lock bolt, coin retention means to retain a coin in an operative position in said housing, and latch means interacting between said housing and said lock `bolt to prevent movement of said lock bolt from said first to said second position in the absence of a coin in said operative position, wherein the improvement comprises, in combination, a receptor movable relative to the lock bolt generally in the same path as the movement of the lock bolt, the coin retention means including a surface on said receptor and a surface on the lock bolt, a cam follower connected to act on the latch means, means connecting the actuator means to move said receptor, the presence of 'a coin rin the operative position camming said cam follower to invalidate the latch means as the actuator `means is moved through an operating path and the lock bolt is moved from said first toward said second position to thus permit complete movement of the lock bolt from said first to said second position, the movement of the actuator means through said operating path in one direction causing the lock bolt and said receptor to move substantially the same distance, lost motion means between the actuator means and the lock bolt, and return movement of the actuator means through said operating path first returning said receptor without return movement of the lock bolt because of said lost motion means to thus permit said coin in `said operative position to move generally lengthwise toward the outboard end of the lock bolt.

Background of the invention Coin operated locks have previously been used, especially in transportation terminals, wherein lockers may be locked by inserting a coin or coins of the proper denomination and then turning a key with the coins permitting this turning to lock the lock and locker. The key may then be withdrawn to lock a persons luggage or the like within this locker. When the person returns, he uses the key to unlock the locker to retrieve his luggage and the key is again captive in the lock. The coins provide a means to actuate the lock and thus a fee is collected for the temporary use of the locker. Such coin operated lock may be of the type of my pnior Patent No. 3,249,197.

Other coin operated locks have been provided for dispensing machines to unlock a door or the like to permit access to an article being dispensed for a fee.

Still other coin operated locks are known wherein a coin of the proper denomination is required before a key may be used to actuate the lock. This may `be in a checking locker wherein the lock permits free service by return of the [coin after the locker is unlocked. The coin, therefore, serves as a deposit to assure safe return of the key. The present invention permits Ia coin operated lock to be used for all three of the abovementioned purposes and the first and third uses above may be provided in a single lock mechanism wherein the lock may be converted in only a few seconds from a free service 'lock to one re- 3,397,765 Patented Aug. 20, 1968 ice quiring payment of a fee. Free service locks requiring temporary use of a coin, which is later returned to the operator is found in my prior Patent No. 3,233,713.

In many of the prior coin operated locks, it is possible to use a coin to lock the lock and obtain the key and also to obtain return of the coin thus enabling wrongdoers to steal the key. In other prior art locks it has been possible to manipulate the locks without use of a coin and thus obtain free service where a fee normally should have been collected by the use of a coin. In still other prior art locks a cumbersome and complicated mechanism has been required to collect use of the coin or coins and to `attempt to minimize the stealing of keys or Wrongful return of the coin 1in a fee paid lock. In other prior art locks it has been very difficult to change the denomination of the coin or coins necessary to operate the lock and in many cases it has been necessary to send the llocks back to the factory or to disassemble a considerable part of the lock mechanism in order to change the denomination of coins.

Description 0f the invention An object of the invention is to provide a coin operated lock obviating Imany of the disadvantages of the prior art locks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin 0perated lock which may readily be `changed in the field so that different denominations of coins will permit operation of the lock.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock mechanism wherein a coin permits actuation of the lock yet the coin does not drop into a receiver until the lock bolt is moved toward its return position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin operated lock which may be very quickly changed from a free service vlock to afee paid lock.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin operated lock wherein the key, once it has been turned to the actuated position of the lock pushes out into the hand of the user Ias la tactile indication to remove the key and thus prevent inadvertent return of the key toward its initial position which thus eliminates the nuisance of rinadvertenly unlocking the lock and losing the fee in the process of removing the key.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin operated lock wherein several safeguards are provided to prevent removing the key and also recovering the coin to thus prevent wrongdoers from stealing the key.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin operated lock wherein an owners key may be used to lock the lock bolt in an actuated position, 'should the prescribed time of rental of the coin operated locker be eX- ceeded so that a user even though he has his key cannot unlock the locker to remove his parcels and must seek out the supervisor to obtain his parcels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin operated lock wherein the operative :coin or coins are transferred from the lock into a lock post with which the lock bolt cooperates and the coins forcibly ejected for quick transfer of the coins.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin operated lock which will not jam if more than the proper number of coins are inserted into it.

Anther object of the invention is to provide means actuated by movement of a `door in which the coin operated lock is mounted to preclude operation of the lock unless the door is closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin operated lock wherein a movable receptor moves prior to movement of a lock bolt to release the coins into a coin receiver before the lock bolt starts to retract.

Another object of the invention is to provide more rapid retraction of the lock bolt than retraction of a coin receptor `so that the receptor is moved relatively forwardly into a coin receiving position as the lock bolt is completely retracted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin operated lock which may be changed to a free-wheel condition and wherein the meter will not be actuated during such free-wheel, non-coin service.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin operated lock wherein a coin slightly larger than the proper size cannot be made to work even by jiggling the key or lock bolt.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the door and other parts being broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a front view of a lock mounted in a door with the door broken away to show a door safety latch;

FIGURES 5-8 are partial views, partly schematic illustrating the sequence of movement in the lock;

FIGURE 9 is a top view of the door safety latch of FIGURE 4;

FIGURES l0, l1 and 12 are partial views illustrating different positions of a part of the lock to obtain different functions; and,

FIGURES 13 and 14 are top and front Views of a modied form of door safety latch.

The figures of the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited by the hereinafter described preferred embodiment but only by the claims appended hereto.

The lock mechanism 15 is described as a coin operated lock and it will be understood that wherein the word coin is used it embraces the use of a token or check as well as an actual coin having monetary signicance and issued by some government.

The FIGURES l-12 of the drawing generally illustrate the construction and operation of the lock mechanism 15. This lock mechanism is mounted in a housing or case 16. The lock mechanism 15 is operable by a coin 17 and also in this preferred embodiment is operative by a key 18. The lock mechanism 15 is thus coin and key operated and may be mounted on the inside surface of a locker door 21. The locker door is hinged at 22 to :a door frame 23. The lock mechanism 15 also has a movable lock bolt 25 movable into locking cooperation with an aperture 26 in a lock post 27, a part of the frame of the entire locker. The lock post 27 also has a remote wall 28.

The lock bolt is shown as being slidable in the housing 16 and is movable between first and second positions. The rst position is that shown in FIGURE 1 and the second position is that shown in FIGURE 7. One of these two positions may be a locked position of the lock mechanism 15 and in this preferred embodiment the second position is the locked position. In this lock mechanism 15 a coin 17 is required in an operative position 17a, as shown in FIGURES 1, 5l and 6 in order to actuate the lock mechanism. In this case a coin in the operative position is required in order to lock the lock bolt 25. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand how a coin may be used in the operative position to unlock the lock, for example, in dispensing machines and the like.

Actuator means 29 is movable through an operative path to actuate the lock bolt 25. Briey this actuator means includes the key 1S, a key cylinder 30 and an actuator lever 31 with an actuator pin 32.

An upper guide 33 and a lower guide 34 guide the sliding movement of the lock bolt 25 in the housing 16. This lock bolt includes a rear plate 35 and a front plate 36 spaced vapart to receive the coin 17. An overcenter spring 37 engages the housing 16 and the lower end of actuator lever 31 to urge the lever into each of the first and second positions from an intermediate position. An S-shaped overcenter spring 38 urges the lock bolt toward each of the rst and second positions from an intermediate position.

A coin chute 40 includes front and rear plates 41 and 42 spaced apart to receive a coin therebetween. This coin chute 40 is pivoted at 43 to the housing 16. A coin entry 44 is provided in the front edge of the housing 16 and mates with another coin entry 45 in the front edge 46 of the door 21. A coin 17 upon being inserted through the entrys 44 and 45, rides down a slope 47 of a spacer between the front and rear plates 41 4and 42 and passes a magnet 48 to `catch ferrous slugs. Such a coin 17 will drop into an operative position 17a in the lock bolt 25.

A latch 50 on the bottom edge of coin chute 40 is adapted to engage an abutment 51 on the top edge of the front plate 36 of the lock bolt 25. Thus the parts 50-51 constitute latch means to prevent movement of the lock bolt 25 from the first position completely to the second position thereof in the absence of a coin in the operative position 17a. A coin receptor 55 is a hat plate longitudinally slidable inside the lock bolt 25 and retained between the front and rear plates 36 and 35 thereof. A lock pin 56 may be inserted in any one of a plurality of lock pin holes 57 in the rear plate 35 and front plate 36 of the lock bolt 25. This permits ready conversion in the eld to change the lock for many different combinations of coins or a token. The receptor has an upper surface 58 which slopes downwardly toward the outboard end 59 of the lock bolt 25. Coin retention means are provided between the sloping surface 58 and the lock pin 56 to receive a coin of the proper denomination therebetween and establish the topmost arc of such coin in the operative position. Where two or more coins are used of the same or different sizes, the topmost arc of the upper lcoin is that which is established in the operative position 17a. The plurality of lock pin holes 57 are provided in order to change the denomination of the coin or coins required to actuate the lock. One or two coins of various denominations may be made to provide many diierent combinations for denominations between 5 and 75e'. Also a token, for example, of a diameter between that of a nickel and a quarter may be sold for any :amount of money so that the lock mechanism 15 will be able to be set for actuation by any amount of money. As shown in FIGURES l, 5 and 6 the coin 17 is caught and held in the operative position 17a by being trapped between the sloping surface 58 and a surface on the lock bolt namely the lock pin 56 at a point just below the maximum diameter of the coin. 'Ihis permits coins or slugs of smaller diameter to pass through without being able to actuate the lock.

A lifter or cam follower 61 is provided as a lower extension of the spacer 47 in the coin chute 40. This cam follower 61 has a lower surface 62 and a front sloping surface 63. The actuator means 29 is connected to actuate the lock bolt 25. To this end the actuator pin 32 on actuator lever 31 is engaged in a slot 66 in the rear plate 35 of lock bolt 25. This slot 66 has a first slot portion 67 which is generally vertical and a second slot portion 68. The slot portion 68 has an upper surface 69 which is on an arc or tangent to an arc from the pivot 70 of actuator lever 31 when the lock bolt is in the extended position as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. 'Ihe pivot 70 of the actuator lever 31 is achieved by a rivet 71 fastened in the housing 16. A lock barrel 72 rotatively carries the lock ycylinder 30 fixed in a socket 73 in lever 31 and is shown removed for clarity in FIGURE l but shown in FIGURE 3. The vlock barrel 72 is passed through a non-circular aperture 74 in the front of the door 21 to be non-rotative therein. The barrel 72 contains the key cylinder 30 to recieve the key 18. The barrel 72 by being non-rotative relative to the door 21 is non-rotative relative to the housing 16 and the key cylinder 30 may be turned in the barrel 72 by the key 18 to turn the actuator lever 31.

The actuator means 29 also `actuates the coin receptor 55. The actuator lever pin 32 not only engages slot 66 in the lock bolt 25 ybut also engages a slot 78 in the coin receptor 55. The slot 78 is generally vertical and is aligned with the rst slot portion 67 in the rst position of the lock bolt 25, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 5.

A meter 80 may be mounted in the upper corner of the housing 16 and this may have a register 81 viewable through an aperture in the front of the door 21 to register the number of the coin operated actuations of lock bolt 25. This meter may be actuated by a lever 82 in turn actuated by the lifting of the coin chute 40.

An owners lock cylinder 85 may be journalled in a barrel 86 xed in the housing 16. This cylinder may be actuated -by an owners key 87 which may be inserted through an aperture in the front of the door 21. Turning the key 87 and lock cylinder 85 will turn an owners cam 88 which is partly shown in FIGURE l and lbetter shown in FIGURES -12. This owners cam 88 has an arcuate slot 89 with an enlarged portion 90 to permit insertion of the lock barrel 72 with the cam 88 in the vertical or zero degree position of FIGURE 1. Once so inserted, the owners cam 88 may be rotated to a 45 degree position, shown in FIGURE 10, wherein the sides of the arcuate slot 89 engage a groove 91 in the barrel 72 to fasten this barrel in the door 21 and in the housing 16. In this 45 degree position the owners key 87 is then removable from the lock cylinder 85 and the lock mechanism 15 is in an operative position for coin and key operation.

The owners cam 88 also has a lifter pin 93 to engage a cam follower 94 fixed on the coin chute 40. This engagement will be made as shown in FIGURE ll when the owners key 87 and cam 88 are turned to the 671/2 ldegree position. This lifter pin 93 thus lifts the coin chute 40 so that the latch means SI1-51 is invalidated. Accordingly, a free-service position is achieved because no coin in the operative position 17a is required in order to actuate the lock. Mere turning of the key 18 will then actuate the lock holt between the rst and second positions.

A lockout pin 96 may also be provided on the owners cam 88 to cooperate with the coin receptor 55 and lock bolt 25 to keep the lock -bolt extended and incapable of being returned to the first position. This will be described below in more detail and is shown in FIGURE l2 wherein the owners cam 88 is in the 90 degree or horizontal position.

Operation FIGURES 5 through 8 illustrate the sequence of operation of the lock mechanism 15 in its use as a coin and key operated lock. The coin 17 may be inserted through the coin entrys 44 and 45 to -fall through the coin chute 40 and into the lock bolt 25. A coin of the proper denomination will Ibe caught between coin retention means 56-58 so that it is in the operative position 17a. The key 18 is captive in the lock cylinder when the lock bolt 25 is in the first position, shown in FIGURES l and 5. Accordingly, the key may be used as a handle to pull open the locker door 21. A person may then insert his-luggage or parcels in the locker and insert the coin which falls to the operative position 17a. Next the door 21 may be lclosed and then the lock mechanism may be locked. The sequence of locking is shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7. The actuator means 29 may be moved through an operating path from a first position shown in FIGURES l and 5 to a second position shown in FIGURE 7. FIGURE 6 shows an intermediate position with the socket 73 at about a'30 degree angle from its former vertical position, shown in FIGURE 5. The actuator pin 32 engages both the slot 78 in the receptor and the first slot portion 67 on the lock bolt 25. Accordingly, this 30 degree arcuate movement of the yactuator lever 31 moves both the lock -bolt 25 and receptor 55 togetherl and substantially the same distance. Because the actuator pin 32 moves on an arc it rises in the slot 78 and first slot portion 67 at the intermediate position shown in FIGURE 6. The coin 17 has moved with the lock -bolt 25 because it is held by the coin retention means 56-58. Accordingly it engages the front sloping surface 63 of the cam follower 61 and then rides on the lower surface 62 of this cam follower 61. This causes the coin chute 40 to pivot upwardly so that the latch means 50-51 is rendered inoperative. If the coin 17 is not the proper denomination, and is too large in diameter and has somehow been forced through the coin entry slots 44 and 45, then this will attempt to lift the coin chute 40 so far that it will engage the upper inside surface 97 of the housing 16 and thuswill not permit complete movement of the lock bolt 25 from the first to the second position. However, where the coin 17 is of the proper denomination, the actuator lever 31 may be continued to be turned to the position of FIGURE 7 in which position the actuator pin 32 will have moved both the lock bolt 25 and coin receptor 55 substantially the same distance so that the lock bolt 25 is in its extended second position. The spring 38 gives a snap action to t-he lock bolt 25 after it passes the midpoint of travel to rapidly extend this lock bolt an-d to prevent pry-back of the lock bolt. The coin 17 is preferably retained betweent he sloping surface 58 and lock pin 56. The actuator pin 32 will be at the bottom of the slot 78 and rst slot portion 67. The outboard end 59 of the lock bolt 25 will have extended into close proximity to the lock post wall 28. The lock mechanism 15 will now be locked, the socket 73 will 'be horizontal and the key 18 may now be removed because it is no longer captive in the lock cylinder 30. Preferably spring Imeans 95 is provided to urge the lock lcylinder 30 forwardly in the barrel 72 when the key 18 has been turned to this position of FIGURE 7. This makes the key 18 pop out slightly and it cannot be turned backwardly without first urging it axially inwardly against the spring 95. This gives an indication to the user to withdraw the key 18.

After the user has returned, he may again insert the key 18, push in against the spring 95 and turn t-he key counterclockwise degrees to the position of FIGURE 8. In so doing the very rst movement does not move the lock bolt 25 to the left as in the transition from FIG- URES 7 to 8 but instead moves only the receptor 55. This is because S shaped over center spring 38 holds -bolt 25 in outward position While receptor 55 is returned. This is permitted because the second slot portion 68 is a lost motion means. As the actuator lever 31 is turned 'counterclockwise from the position of FIGURE 7 to the position of FIGURE 8, the actuator pin 32 does not move the lock bolt 25 until pin 32 reaches the left end of the second slot portion 68. In the meantime, actuator Ipin 32 does engage the left side of slot 78 lbecause it is closely received therein. Accordingly it moves receptor 55 to the left and this separates the -sloping surface 58 suiciently from pin 56 so that the coin 17 drops to the position shown in FIGURE 8. When actuator pin 32 engages the left end of second slot portion 68, as viewed in FIGURE 8, then lock bolt 25 will be withdrawn toward the rst position of FIGURES 1 and 5. During the -final portion of this ret-urn movement, the outer end 76 of actuator lever 31 engages a cam follower 77 on the lock bolt 25 to complete the retraction. Also during the final portion of this return movement, the receptor 55 slows down in its leftward movement relative to the leftward movement of lock bolt 25 so that receptor 55 returns to a position relative to lock bolt 25, as shown in FIGURE 5, whereat the proper denomination coin 17 would again engage the coin retention means 56-58.

In the sequence of operation from FIGURE 7 to FIG- URE 8, if the key 18 is returned counterclockwise slightly then the coin 17 falls to the position shown in FIGURE 8. However, the coin 17 is still retained wit-hin the lock bolt 25 and has not dropped into a coin receiver 98 inside the lock post 27. This may be a coin return receptacle providing coin and key operation but return of the coin after lcompletion of use of the locker. The coin in such case would `be merely used as deposit to assure safe return of the key 18.

As the lock bolt is Withdrawn to the left in the sequence of events from FIGURE 7 to FIGURE 5, the latch 50 will pass over the abutment l51 so that the lock bolt 25 cannot again ibe extended. Further the actuator pin 32 will be engaging the upper surface 69 of the second slot portion 68 and this will not have a suicient component of force in the horizontal direction to again move the lock bolt 25 outwardly toward the second position. As the lock lbolt 25 is withdrawn back to the left, the coin 17 will drop out of the open outboard end 59 thereof into the coin receiver 98. This may be a coin return receptacle as stated above or it may be a locked coin box to collect a fee for use of the locker 21.

The meter 80 will register each time that the coin chute is lifted. Through a Window in the front of the locker door 21, the register 81 may be observed. In the free-service position of the owners cam 82 as shown in FIGURE 11, the coin chute 40 will always remain lifted and accordingly free service by actuation of only the key 18 may be provided without showing anything on the register 81. However each time that the lock is both coin and key operated, then the register 81 will show such use. A spring 53 is provided to urge the coin chute 40 downwardly primarily to make certain that the meter 80 is actuated.

The lock mechanism 15 may be conveniently used for at least two slightly different general purposes namely use in transportation terminals and use in recreational facilities, as examples. Where the lock mechanism 15 is to be installed in temporary rental lockers in transpoi-tation terminals, for example, it is often desirable to be able to lock-out a person renting the locker for the prescribed time, for example 24 hours, when the 24 hour period has expired and the additional fee for the next 24 hour period has not been used to unlock and relock to actuate the meter 80. In this case, the lock-out pin 96 may be inserted in a prepunched hole in the owners cam 88.

If the register 81 does not show payment of the fee for use of the locker from one 24 hour period to the next, when checked by a supervisor, then the supervisor may use the owners key 87 to turn the owners cam from the degree to the zero degree position and remove the lock barrel 72 simply from the front of the locker 21. A tool may then be inserted into the socket 73 to return the lock bolt 25 to the rst position to open the locker door 21. If there is nothing in the locker and the locker inadvertently has been locked closed and the key is missing, then the barrel 72 is simply replaced with a new keyed cylinder and barrel. If there is luggage in the locker and this means that the prescribed fee for the next 24 hour period has not been paid, then the person renting the locker may be locked out very simply. This is accomplished by turning the owners key to the 671/2 degree position of FIGURE 1l for free-wheel, using the tool to extend the lock bolt without paying the fee, returning the owners cam to the vertical Iposition and replacing the original barrel 72 into the door and housing 16 and turning the owners cam 88 to the horizontal position shown in FIGURE 12. In such position the lockout pin 96 is moved into a position opposite the lower left end 101 of the receptor 55. Accordingly the receptor 55 may not be moved back to the left as in the sequence of operation between FIGURE 7 and FIGURE 8. The left end 101 of receptor 55 will engage -this lockout pin 96 v so that the person cannot open the locker 21. He then must seek out the supervisor of the lockers and pay his extra fee for the extra 24 hour period, for example, in order to open the locker in order for him to retrieve his belongings. This is a much simpler means of locking out the user of the locker because the owners key may be quickly turned to the horizontal position of FIGURE 12 and then the owners key removed. This takes only a few seconds to so lock out the user instead of the way many prior art locks have operated, namely requiring the supervisor to actually change the entire lock mechamsm.

Where the lock mechanism 15 is to be used in temporary storage lockers in recreational facilities, for example, it is often desirable to provide free service in the morning for underprivileged children as one example and during the afternoon coin operated service of the recreational facilities, for example a swimming pool. In such case it is highly desirable to be -able to quickly change the lock mechanism between coin operated service and free service. The lock mechanism 15 lends itself admirably to this quick changeover. For these recreational facilities, the lock-out pin 96 would not be mounted in the owners cam 88. However as shown in FIGURE 11, the lifter pin 93 will cooperate with the cam follower 94 not only in the 671/2 degree position of FIGURE 1l, but also in the horizontal position of FIGURE 12'. Accordingly, the cam follower 94 is lifted in the horizontal position of FIGURE 12, and this will provide free service merely by turning the key 18. Of cuorse, the key is removable in the locked position shown in FIGURE 7 to lock the locker and this key permits the temporary user of the locker to lock his belongings. Upon return to the l-ocker, the person inserts the key in the cylinder 30, unlocks the lock 15 and can then remove his belongings.

The supervisor of the recreational facilities will have the owners key 87 and at the prescribed time, such as at noon, he simply goes down the row of lockers inserting the key in the owners cylinder and turns them from the free service position of FIGURE 12 to the normal coin and key operated position of FIGURE 10. The owners key 87 is removable in both positions, so that this is quickly accomplished. It is thus seen that the lock 15 may be quickly converted between free service and normal coin and key operated service without necessity for dismantling the lock in any Way.

As the receptor 55 and lock bolt 25 are moved to the right, they both move together substantially the same dis, tance. However, as the key 18 is returned counterclockwise, there is lost motion means so that first only the receptor 55 moves and secondly the lock bolt 25 moves. This permits the coin 17 to fall whereas originally the coin was held in the lock bolt 25. This has definite advantages so that the coin cannot fall into a coin return receptacle and also permit the operator of the lock to obtain both the key and his coin. This could aid wrongdoers to use the same coin to steal many different keys. Such wrong doing is prevented.

It will be noted that the coin receptor 55 is slidable in the lock bolt 25 generally in the same direction as the sliding of the lock bolt 25. The pivoting of the coin chute 40 means that this coin chute serves a double .function of guiding the coin 17 into the operative position 17a in the lock bolt and also the extra function of providing the latch means 50-52. This simplifies the lock construction and eliminates many parts.

The key 18 being captive in the key cylinder 30 for all positions except the second position of the operative path, as shown in FIGURE 7, means that the key 18 cannot be removed except when the lock mechanism 15 has been properly actuated. This prevents stealingthe key and obtaining return of the coin 17. The spring means urging the key cylinder 30 outwardly in the barrel 72 gives a tactile indication to the user to Withdraw the key 18.*Also this prevents the user of the locker inadvertently slightly returning the key fcounterclockwise while attempting to withdraw the key 18 which would otherwise cause him to lose the coin and again unlock the locker when he really wanted it locked. This eliminates ill feeling on the part of the user of the locker 21.

FIGURES 1, 2, 4 and 9 show a safety latch mechanism 104 to prevent actuation of the lock mechanism 15 with the door 21 open. A safety lever 105 has the lower end pivoted at 106 on the coin chute 40. The upper end 107 of the safety lever 105 is adapted to engage the upper inside surface 97 of housing 16 as urged by a tension spring 108. A push link 109 is slidably journalled in a reinforcing panel 110 on the inside of the locker door 21 and extends toward the door hinge 22. A compression spring 111 urges this push link 109 toward the door hinge 22. A post abutment 112 on the door frame 23 abuts an adjustment nut 115 threaded on the hinge end of the push link 109 when the door is closed to move the outboard end 113 of push link 109 against the safety level 105 and to move the upper end 107 thereof so that it is in alignment with a recess 114 in the upper surface of housing 16. Accordingly when the door is closed, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, the safety lever 105 is positioned to extend into the recess 114 when the coin chute 40 is lifted by a coin in the operative position. When the door is swung open any amount in excess 0f about two degrees, then the post abutment 112 no longer engages the push link nut 115, and accordingly the lever 105 is in a dotted line position, shown in FIGURE 1. Accordingly, the coin chute 40 may not be lifted and thus the lock mechanism 15 may not be actuated. This prevents wrongdoers from using a coin to lock the door in the open position, steal the key and obtain return of the coin so that they may go down the row of lockers and steal the keys. Accordingly, this safety latch mechanism 104 assures that the proper coin or coins are deposited in order to assure safe return of the key which actuates the lock mechanism 15.

FIGURES 13 and 14 show a modification of a safety latch mechanism 124. This safety latch mechanism 124 includes a lever 125 pivoted a-t 126 on the coin chute 40. A spring 128 urges the lever 125 to the right against an abutment as viewed in FIGURE 13 so that the upper end 127 of the lever 125 will be vertically below a recess 114 in the upper inside surface 97 of the lock housing 16. A pull link 129 is slidably journalled in the reinforcing panel 110 on the inside of the door 21. The pull link 129 carries a pivot nut 130 which permits adjustment. A rod 131 is threaded in the pivot nut 130 and is pivotally connected to a pull strap 132 which is hinged at 133 to the door frame 23. A compression spring 134 acts between the pull link 129 and the door 21 to return the pull link 129 to its normal position to the right. A compression spring 135 acts between the end of the rod 131 and the pivot nut 130 as a door closing spring r to maintain the door 21 urged closed. The right end of the pull link 129 has ya hook 136 to coact with a hook 137 on the lever 125.

When the door is closed as shown in FIGURES 13 and 14, the spring 128 urges the lever 125 to the solid line position shown in FIGURE 13. In this position, the upper end 127 of the lever 125 is vertically below the recess 114 in the upper wall of the housing 16. In such position, the coin chute 40 is capable of being lifted by the camming action of the cam follower 61 riding on the coin 17. However when the door 21 is swung open only about two degrees, the pull link 129 pulls the lever 125 to the broken line position of FIGURE 13. Accordingly, the upper end 127 of lever 125 is closely adjacent the upper inside surface of the huosing 16 so that it will engage this upper inside surface 97 upon the coin chute 40 attempting to lift. Accordingly, the lock mechanism 15 cannot be actuated with the door open even if a coin is in the operative position 17a.

The pull link 129 pulls the lever 125 to the broken line position with the door open because the left end of rod 131 attempts to swing about a radius from the door hinge pin 22 as the door swings, whereas the right end of the pull strap 132 must necessarily move about an arc from its hinge 133. The combined action is to pull the rod 131 to the left as the door 21 is swung open. This prevents wrongdoers from stealing keys by using a coin to extend the lock bolt when the door is open and thus steal the key with the key cylinder 30 turned to the horizontal position which would also enable them to retrieve the coin. This safety latch mechanism 124 thus prevents someone from going down a row of lockers and stealing all of the keys.

When the key is returned from the horizontal position of FIGURE 7 to the vertical position of FIGURE 5, the receptor 55 is first retracted so that the coin drops along the sloping surface 58. This forcibly ejects the coin 17 when the lock bolt 25 is withdrawn during the subsequent return movement of the key 18. Also the overcenter spring 38 gives a quick action to the lock bolt 25 and the inertia of the coin 17 aids this forcible ejection of the coin or coins from the open end of the lock bolt 25 during retraction thereof.

The coin chute 40 has considerable space in it above the spacer 47 so that it can accommodate a plurality of coins. Thus even if more coins thannecessary' are inserted in the entry slot 45, the extra coins will merely remain inside the coin chute 40 on top of the coin in the operative position 17a and Will not hinder proper operation of the lock mechanism 15. Accordingly, the lock will not jam if more than the proper number of coins are inserted into it.

FIGURES 5 to 8 illustrate how the lock mechanism 15 will refuse to be actuated `by a coin of a larger diameter than that prescribed for proper operation. For example if the lock mechanism 15 is set for use with a dime, it will not -be actuable with a penny which is slightly larger in diameter. Because the penny is larger in diameter, when the key 18 is turned clockwise from the position of FIGURE 5 to the position of FIGURE 6, the cam follower 61 will attempt to lift too far and the coin chute 40 will engage the upper inside surface 97 of the housing 16. If one jiggles the key 18 back and forth attempting to drop the penny into a slightly lower position between the sloping surface 58 and the pin 56, the penny will either drop completely through into the coin receiver 98 without permitting extension of the lock bolt 25, or else the actuator lever pin 32 will extend into the second portion 68 of the slot 66, somewhat as is shown in FIGURE 8 and in that position, the lock bolt 25 cannot be extended. This is because the actuator lever pin 32 will engage the upper surface 69 of the second slot por-tion 68 and thus will not have a sufficient component of force outwardly to extend the lock bolt 25. Further jiggling of the key will merely release the penny into the coin receiver 98.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a coin operated lock having, a housing,

a lock bolt movable in said housing between first and second positions,

one of said positions being a locked position of said lock bolt cooperating with a first member and the other being an unlocked position,

actuator means to move said lock bolt,

coin retention means to retain a coin in an operative position in said housing,

and having latch means interacting between said housing and said lock bolt to prevent movement of said lock bolt from said first to said second position in the absence of a coin in said operative position,

11 wherein the improvement comprises, in combination,

Y a receptor movable relative to the lock bolt generally in the same path as the movement of the lock bolt, the coin retention means including a surface on said receptor and a surface on the lock bolt, a cam follower connected to act on the latoh means, means connecting the actuator means to move said receptor,

the coin retention means establishing a coin in the operative position and the coin camming said cam follower to invalidate the latch means as the actuator means is moved through an operating path and the lock bolt is moved from said first toward said second position to thus permit complete movement of the lock bolt from said first to said second position,

the movement of the actuator means through said operating path in one direction causing t-he lock bolt and said receptor to'move substantially the same distance, v

lost motion means between the actuator means and the lock bolt,

and return movement of the actuator means through said operating path first returning said receptor without return movement of the lock bolt because of said lost motion means to thus permit the coin in the operative position to move generally lengthwise toward the outboard end of the lock bolt.

2. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, including a coin exit slot near the outboard end of the lock bolt to permit transfer of the coin into a coin receiver in the first member,

and further return movement of the actuator means causing completion of said lost motion and thus return of the lock bolt from said second position to said first position.

3. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lost motion means includes an arcuate slot in the lock bolt,

the actuator 'means includes an actuator lever pivoted at the center of the arc of said arcuate slot and having a portion engaging opposite ends of said arcuate slot in the lock bolt to move the lock bolt upon engaging opposite ends of said arcuate slot.

4. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 including means guiding the lock bolt for sliding movement in the housing,

and means guiding said receptor for sliding movement in the lock bolt generally in the same path as the sliding movement of the lock ibolt.

5. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the actuator means includes an actuator lever pivoted in the housing,

a slot in the lock bolt having a first portion,

said lost motion means including a second portion of said slot generally on an arc from the pivot axis of said actuator lever,

an actuator pin on said actuator lever and disposed in said slot in the lock bolt,

a slot in said receptor aligned with said lock bolt first slot portion in said first position of the lock bolt and engaged by said actuator pin,

the initial movement of said actuator lever through said operating path in one direction causing said actuator pin to coact with said first slot portion in the lock bolt and said`slot in said receptor,

partial return movement of said actuator lever through said operating path causing said actuator pin to cooperate with said slot in said receptor to move same and cooperating with said actuator slot second portion in the lock bolt as said lost motion means to first return said receptor without return movement of the lock bolt to thus release said coin,

and further return movement of said actuator lever causing said actuator lever to cammingly engage a 12 cam follower portion of the lock bolt after completion of said lost motion means to thus return the lock bolt from said second position to said first position and to realign said slot in said receptor with said lock bolt first slot portion.

6. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 including an owners lock in the housing,

key means to turn said owners lock,

an owners cam turned by said owners lock,

a cam follower on the latch means engageable by said owners cam in one position thereof to move the latch means to an inoperative position to permit free wheeling of the actuator means and lock bolt without insertion of a coin to thus provide free service,

a meter in said lhousing,

and means to actuate said meter by the actuation of the latch means whereby said meter is unactuated by free service operation of the lock bolt.

7. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 including an owners lock in said housing,

key means to turn said owners lock,

a lock pin movable by said key means turning said owners lock,

and said lock pin being turnable by said key means to a position whereat said lock pin prevents movement of said lock bolt from the second to the first position.

8. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 including means to mount the lock housing on a locker door to have the lock bolt cooperate with a lock post as the first member,

hinge means for said locker door hinging same to the frame of the locker,

a lever carried in the housing and pivoted relative thereto,

said lever having an engagement position to prevent actuation of said latch means even though a coin is in the operative position,

and linkage means actuated by movement of the locker door to the fully closed position to act on said lever to remove said lever from said engagement position to permit the actuator means to move the lock bolt upon a coin being in the operative position.

9. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 including means to mount the lock housing on a locker door to have the lock bolt cooperate with a lock post as the first member,

hinge means for said locker door hinging same to the frame of the locker,

a coin chute pivoted in said housing as part of the latch means,

a lever pivoted on said coin chute,

an abutment between said lever and the housing,

spring means urging said lever toward an engaged position with said abutment,

linkage means actuatedv by movement of the locker door to the fully closed position to act on said lever to remove said lever from engagement with the housing as said coin chute is moved by the camming action of a coin in the operative position upon movement of the lock bolt,

and said linkage means acting on said lever to permit said spring means to move said lever to the engaged position upon movement of the locker door from the closed position toward an open position to thus prevent actuation of the lock bolt with the locker door open even though a coin is in the operative position.

10. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 including means to mount the lock housing on a locker door to have the lock bolt cooperate with a lock post as the first member,

hinge means for said locker door hinging same to the frame of the locker,

a coin chute pivoted in said housing as part of the latch means,

a lever pivoted on said coin in chute.

said lever having an engagement position to prevent actuation of said latch means even though a coin is in the operative position,

means Iurging said lever away from said engagement position,

pull linkage means actuated by movement of the locker door to the fully closed position to permit said urging means to act on said lever to remove said lever from said engagement position to permit the actuator means to move the lock bolt upon a coin being in the operative position,

and said pull linkage means pulling said lever against said urging means into the engagement position thereof upon opening movement of the door to prevent movement of the lock bolt to the second position thereof even with a coin in the operative position.

11. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 including an owners lock in the housing,

key means to turn said owners lock,

an owners cam turned by said owners lock,

a cam follower on the latch means engageable by said owners cam in a rst position thereof to move the latch means to an operative position to permit free-wheeling of the actuator means and lock bolt without insertion of a coin to thus provide free service,

said cam follower on the latch means not being engageable by said owners cam in a second position thereof to thus require use of a coin to actuate the lock mechanism,

and said owners key means being removable from said owners lock in each of said rst and second positions of said owners cam.

12. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein the coin retention means includes a surface on the receptor and a surface fixed relative to the lock bolt, and said receptor also having an upper surface sloping generally toward the outboard end of the lock bolt.

13. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein the coin retention means includes an upper surface on said receptor sloping generally toward the outboard end of the lock bolt,

and a surface defined by a pin on the lock bolt with at least one coin adapted to be in engagement with both said receptor sloping surface and said pin to establish the topmost arc of at least one coin in said operative position.

14. A mechanism as set forth in claim 13 wherein said sloping receptor surface moves substantially the same distance as said pin as the actuator means moves through said operating path in said one direction and said lost motion means permits said receptor sloping surface to move away from said pin during the opposite directional movement of the actuator means to thus permit the coin in said operative position to move down said receptor sloping surface toward the outboard end of the lock bolt.

15. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 including a coin chute dening a passageway for a coin into the operative position,

means pivoting said coin chute to the housing,

and means connecting the latch means between the lock bolt and said pivoted coin chute.

16. A mechanism as set forth in claim 15 wherein said cam follower is connected to said pivoted coin chute,

a coin of the proper denomination in said operative position engaging said cam follower upon movement of the lock bolt from said rst position toward said second position,

and a coin of larger diameter than the proper denomination in said operative position engaging said cam follower to raise said pivoted coin chute sufciently to engage the upper inside surface `of the housing to thereby prevent release of said latch means and thus prevent complete movement of the lock bolt from said rst position to said second position.

17. A mechanism as set forth in claim 1 including a barrel fastened in the housing,

a key cylinder journalled in said barrel and connected to said actuator means,

a key insertable in said key cylinder to turn said key cylinder and said actuator means from a first position to a second position as the lock bolt is moved from the first position to the second position thereof,

means to retain said key captive in said key cylinder in said first position and all positions of movement up to but not including said second position,

and spring means to urge said key cylinder and said key outwardly of said barrel in said second position of said key cylinder.

18. A mechanism as set forth in claim 17 including means to prevent rotation of said key cylinder in said barrel upon the key cylinder being urged slightly outwardly of said barrel by said spring means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 439,107 10/1890 Casper 194-78 1,522,147 1/1925 Segal 194-78 1,914,983 6/1933 Saad 194-59 2,603,334 7/1952 Curren 194-59 3,233,713 2/1966 Smith et al 194-74 3,249,197 5/1966 Smith et al. 194-65 WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner. 

